UFO Newsclipping Service - 1972 06 - no 38

Magazine Overview

This issue of "U.F.O." (Issue 38, June 1972) from the UFO Research Committee, published in Seattle, Washington, focuses on the 25th anniversary of the 'flying saucer' era, initiated by Kenneth Arnold's sighting on June 24, 1947. The magazine explores the history, ongoing reports, and expert opinions surrounding unidentified flying objects (UFOs).

UFOs 25 Years Later

Martin Waldron of The New York Times recounts the seminal event of Kenneth Arnold's sighting near Mount Rainier, which marked the beginning of widespread UFO reports. Since then, reports have come from all over the Earth, describing objects of various shapes, sizes, colors, and behaviors, some silent, some noisy, and some reportedly occupied by various beings.

UFO Expert Lends Insight To Baffling Saucer Issue

Stuart Nixon of the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP) spoke at Eastern Oregon College, emphasizing that while not definitively stating UFOs exist, there is enough reliable data to suggest the possibility of alien forces. He highlighted the rigorous methods NICAP uses to verify sightings, citing an example of pictures taken by boys in New York that were initially dismissed due to apparent flaws but later re-examined. Nixon also mentioned the case of a UFO sighted near McMinnville, Oregon, in 1950, for which NICAP could not examine the original negatives.

'Saucers' Still Flying

This article, continuing from page A-1, estimates that between 50,000 and 100,000 UFO sightings have been reported since Arnold's initial sighting. Despite the Air Force's Project Blue Book concluding that further study was not justified, and a panel of scientists supporting the Air Force's conclusions, people continue to report sightings. The Aerial Phenomenon Research Organization (APRO), run by Jim and Carol Lorenzen and Richard Greenwell, is presented as a major investigative body. Greenwell notes that interest in UFOs remains high, with APRO receiving about 1,000 reports annually, mostly lights and disk sightings. APRO members are convinced Earth is being visited by extraterrestrial vehicles.

New UFO Study Is Sought

Professor J. Allen Hynek, head of Northwestern University's Astronomy Department and a former scientific consultant for the Air Force's UFO investigation, is advocating for a new, high-level scientific study of unidentified flying objects. In his forthcoming book, "The UFO Experience," Hynek states that he cannot dismiss the phenomena, asserting that they are not all misperceptions or hoaxes. He criticizes the Air Force's Project Blue Book and the University of Colorado's Condon report as inadequate. Hynek believes that while many sightings can be explained, about 20% are made by credible witnesses, including scientists, who refuse to be named for fear of ridicule. He also suggests the possibility of life in other solar systems and that UFOs might be visitors from these systems.

Life Out There, Say Stargazers

An Associated Press report indicates that a committee of the National Academy of Sciences has concluded that there is a high probability of intelligent life existing elsewhere in the universe. The committee urged increased federal funding for astronomical research, including the development of new instruments for detecting signals from extraterrestrial civilizations. The report also mentions the discovery of primitive, life-suggestive chemicals in interstellar space and the phenomenon of "general cosmic violence" involved in star formation.

Full Moon Is Linked To Murders

Drs. Arnold L. Lieber and Carolyn Sherin, in the American Journal of Psychiatry, propose a link between the full moon and increased murder rates. Their study correlated murder rates with moon phases over 15 years, finding a sharp increase during new and full moons, which they attribute to "biological tides" in the human body.

George Airmen Sight a Bright Orange Object

Two airmen at George AFB reported seeing a bright orange object, estimated to be 375 feet in diameter, sinking behind a building. The sighting was reported to the air police and local sheriff's office, but no evidence of a landing was found.

Fritz Kron Metal Spheres Go Unclaimed

Five metal spheres found on the Canterbury Plains in New Zealand have not been claimed. They were speculated to be from the Soviet satellite Cosmos 482, but New Zealand scientists confirmed they were not radioactive.

Somebody Up There Sees Us

This article by Rich Koster delves deeper into Dr. J. Allen Hynek's views. Hynek, an astronomer, believes in the UFO phenomenon and the possibility of "little people" piloting the craft. He categorizes sightings into three kinds of encounters: Nocturnal lights, Daylight discs, and Radar-visual sightings, with three degrees of encounters. He finds the Second Kind, involving physical effects, most important for scientific study. Hynek also discusses the similarity between reported alien occupants and legendary figures like elves and brownies. He notes that the Air Force often dismissed unexplained reports, and that the government might be afraid of admitting the existence of UFOs due to potential panic.

UFOs: Future shock or baloney?

Doug Detling reports on Stuart Nixon's view that 20th-century scientists might be seen as narrow-minded for not researching UFOs. Nixon heads the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP) and believes the media has been partly responsible for public ignorance by providing faulty information. He suggests that scientists should be intrigued by the possibilities of extraterrestrial origins of UFOs and that better explanations will emerge with more knowledge. Nixon also notes that while many sightings are explained, some remain baffling.

Air Force Says 'Can't Be'

This article by Robert Goodrich discusses the Air Force's 1968 conclusion that UFOs do not merit further investigation. It highlights ongoing sightings in the Carlyle, New Zealand area, including reports from Mrs. Carrie Brink, William L. Allen, Miss Donna Wilkins, Gerald Skiver, Mrs. Leona Boeving, Mr. and Mrs. George Jannett, and Mrs. Rosetta Holmes, detailing their experiences with various aerial objects.

Local explanations given for U.F.O.'s

J. H. Duthie of the Whakatane Astronomical Society suggests that many UFO explanations are simple and that astronomers often find logical explanations for sightings, such as temperature changes. Reports from New Zealand include a bright light in the sky over Gisborne, a glowing UFO over Havelock, and sightings in Tokoroa, Auckland, and Palmerston North. Some reports are attributed to aircraft or meteorites, while others remain unexplained.

TEAM TO CHECK 'SAUCER LANDING'

A research team from the Flying Saucer Research Society is investigating reports of a "flying saucer" landing on a farm property in South Australia. The team is examining a circular marking on the ground and will conduct soil tests and magnetic field measurements.

Ngatea Site Important To Ufologists

More than 600 people attended New Zealand's first UFO convention in Tauranga, where speakers claimed the "Ngatea landing site" was a highly important incident. Author Colin Lambert presented evidence of distinct markings, depth, and lingering radiation at the site, suggesting an extraterrestrial craft had landed and departed. The DSIR's involvement was noted as being too late for effective tests.

Meteorite May Have Landed In Hills Near Gisborne

Members of the Gisborne Astronomical Society are seeking information from anyone who saw a bright object traveling over the hills near Gisborne, suspecting it might be a meteorite. Similar reports of a red, flaming ball with a white tail were also received from Ashburton.

UFOs Are Real Says Thames Housewife

Mrs. G. R. Kennet of Thames, New Zealand, claims to have seen a convex, saucer-shaped object with flashing lights hovering and then darting over the Firth of Thames.

UFO a Star Says Astronomer

A Hastings amateur astronomer, Mr. A. McPherson, claims to have photographic proof that a "UFO" seen above the Havelock Hills was actually the star Canopus.

More See Flying Light

Several people in Palmerston North, New Zealand, corroborated a sighting of a bright, fast-moving object by Mr. H. H. Fulton. While some suggested it could be a malfunctioning aircraft light, others found it inexplicable.

Flying Saucer Proves Bother

In Tooligie, South Australia, a farmer, Mr. Rob Habner, and his wife are bothered by numerous calls and visitors after a strange doughnut-shaped mark appeared on their property, believed by some to be a "saucer" landing site.

Glowing UFO Spotted Over Hills

Several people, including policemen, in Hastings, New Zealand, reported seeing a glowing, barrel-shaped object moving slowly over the Havelock Hills. Experts are baffled, and no conventional explanation has been found.

Bright Green Light Seen

A bright green light was observed near Rabbit Island, New Zealand, moving faster than an aircraft. The astronomer who witnessed it confirmed it was not an aircraft or satellite.

UFOs - no longer a laughing matter

This article discusses the growing respectability of UFO research, citing increased media coverage and the formation of organizations like the British UFO Research Association (BURA), which is appealing for witnesses. It notes that while some still dismiss UFOs, the subject is being taken more seriously, with a call for scientific investigation.

Appeal for UFO witnesses - spotlight on local landings'

BURA is appealing for witnesses to UFO activity, particularly local landings, in the Waltham Forest area. Kenneth Phillips of BURA states that the localized UFO activity is "very, very odd" and that they are compiling a dossier to feed into a computer for guidance. He also warns of dangers in Ufology due to the unknown nature of the subject.

Srinagar Saucer

A "football-shaped, luminous" unidentified flying object was sighted hovering over Srinagar, India, for an hour, with thousands of people reportedly witnessing it. The object rotated and threw off bright flickers of light, leading to speculation that it was indeed a UFO, not a satellite or weather balloon.

UFO Not Sighted

A white fluorescent trail was seen from Kaikoura Hospital in New Zealand, initially thought to be a meteorite or distress flares, but later identified as exercises by the RNZAF.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the historical significance of UFO sightings, the ongoing debate between scientific skepticism and belief in extraterrestrial visitation, and the increasing number of reported incidents from various parts of the world, particularly New Zealand. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting both skeptical viewpoints and evidence from credible witnesses and researchers, while acknowledging the limitations of current scientific understanding and the potential for government secrecy or public fear surrounding the topic. There is a clear emphasis on the need for continued scientific investigation and the validation of witness accounts.

This issue of the Hawkes Bay Herald Tribune, dated May 19, 1972, focuses on UFO phenomena, with the cover headline "Glowing UFO cruises over HB - police watch." The publication features reports on UFO sightings, conventions, and expert opinions, aiming to provide a scientific perspective on unexplained aerial phenomena.

Glowing UFO cruises over HB - police watch

The lead story details a glowing unidentified flying object observed moving slowly over the Havelock hills for an hour early on the morning of May 18, 1972. Several people, including three policemen, observed the object, which was described as barrel-shaped with a band around the middle and pulsating light. Experts from various institutions, including the Mount John tracking station and the Meteorological Office, were unable to identify the object or its origin. The possibility of it being a weather balloon was discounted due to its duration and movement against the prevailing wind. The Meteorological Office noted this sighting was "a little more intriguing than the usual."

Regular gatherings on UFOs foreseen

This section discusses the success of New Zealand's first national UFO convention held in Tauranga. Harvey Cooke, organizer of the Tauranga UFO Investigation Group, stated that the convention attracted people from all parts of New Zealand and that UFO organizations in both centres had expressed interest in arranging similar gatherings in the future, possibly in Auckland or Wellington next year. Cooke described the convention as a great success, with the Tauranga Town Hall packed for all sessions. He emphasized that the convention brought together people with a common interest in UFOs, even if some expected miracles and others came with closed minds.

National interest in UFO talks

This article previews the upcoming first New Zealand unidentified flying objects convention in Tauranga. H. L. Cooke, the founder, expressed pleasure with the response, noting that about 440 of the 540 tickets available were sold. The purpose of the convention was to bring interested people together to discuss the subject and potentially foster greater cooperation between different investigating groups. The convention was scheduled to feature seven speakers, including engineers, an editor of a UFO magazine, an astronomer, and heads of investigating groups.

UFO seen by two at Ashburton

Two people in Ashburton reported seeing an object fall from space on Saturday morning. A man in the Maronan area and a 12-year-old girl in Willowby described the object as a red, flaming ball with a short, white flaming tail. Senior-Sergeant E. A. Leadley of the Ashburton police suggested that property owners in the affected area check their properties for any signs of the fallen object.

UFO SIGHTING IN THAMES

A 10-year-old boy, David Clement, reported seeing an unidentified flying object south of Thames. He described the object as ball-shaped and silver and grey, which travelled east, then returned towards Thames before disappearing. The object made no noise.

UFO over Hobart ?

This report details five UFO sightings in the Hobart area, described as among the most definite in Tasmania. Officials from the Tasmanian Unidentified Flying Objects Information Centre (TUFOIC) believe a hovering spaceship may have been seen by hundreds. Sightings included three red lights circling the Domain, a dome-shaped object flying slowly along Bell Street, and a circular object with a red glow seen by two men who asked for anonymity. The latter object was described as about 50ft in diameter and 50ft up from the ground.

Findings cause U.F.O. flurry

This article from The Dominion reports an increase in inquiries about suspected UFOs in Wellington following the discovery of three mystery balls in the South Island. Dr. D. C. Thompson of the Meteorological Office stated that while some sightings were identified as meteors or aircraft, only about 25 percent of all sightings were ever identified. The department, however, did not have a real interest in UFOs and kept no records.

The beings from other worlds who want to look us over

This piece focuses on Frank Marshall, a Portland radio engineer and local UFO expert. Marshall has been investigating UFOs for 15 years and notes that sightings have become more common. He describes a typical UFO as a noiseless shape, floating at varying speeds, often surrounded by its own light. Marshall believes UFOs are extraterrestrial and that other civilizations want to observe Earth. He also notes a worrying trend towards psychic elements in reports, such as smelling sulphur and drastic temperature drops.

Fifth metal ball found

Another metal ball, the fifth to be found in the Canterbury area in the last month, was discovered on a farm 16 miles from Ashburton. Police reported that the writing on this ball was more legible than on the others and it has been sent to Christchurch for examination.

UFO EXPERT: 'Keep feet firmly on the ground'

This article profiles UFO investigator Henk Hinfelaar, director of New Zealand Scientific Space Research. Hinfelaar advocates for a rational, scientific approach to UFO investigation, believing that UFOs are a significant scientific phenomenon involving extraterrestrial participation. He suggests that UFOs might be interested in studying Earth's faultlines, as most sightings occur on known faultlines. Hinfelaar estimates about 1000 solid sightings in New Zealand since 1952 and notes that New Zealanders are generally considered to be down-to-earth investigators. He is skeptical of mediums and wishful thinking in UFO research, emphasizing the need for substantiated evidence and detailed written reports from witnesses.

/Oulu UFO Club studies strange light-phenomenon in Kuusamo/

This report, sourced from Turun Sanomat in Finland, details a UFO phenomenon observed in Kuusamo on January 3, 1971. Members of the Oulu UFO Club studied a bright light that descended in a yard, leaving a melted spot and a colored substance in the snow. The phenomenon caused electricity to fail in a nearby house. Chemical tests were planned for the substance, and measurements revealed no radiation. The area of Kuusamo is noted as being interesting regarding UFOs due to a history of earth movements and proximity to the Novaya Zemlya atomic testing area.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around UFO sightings, investigations, and the scientific study of these phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on maintaining a rational and evidence-based approach, as highlighted by Henk Hinfelaar and the organizers of the Tauranga convention. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious inquiry, encouraging scientific investigation while debunking purely speculative or sensationalist claims. The issue also reflects a growing public interest in UFOs, evidenced by the convention's success and the numerous reported sightings.